Pentagon scolded for not finalizing Afghan-war plan

Pentagon scolded for not finalizing Afghan-war plan

1of4Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sets his briefcase down before he testifies at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the defense budget for the 2018 budget year, on Capitol Hill, Monday, June 12, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Photo: Alex Brandon, STF

2of4Defense Secretary Jim Mattis smiles at photographers before he testifies at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the defense budget for the 2018 budget year, on Capitol Hill, Monday, June 12, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Photo: Alex Brandon, STF

3of4Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 13, 2017, before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about his role in the firing of James Comey, his Russian contacts during the campaign and his decision to recuse from an investigation into possible ties between Moscow and associates of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Photo: Alex Brandon, STF

4of4Attorney General Jeff Sessions talks to an aide on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 13, 2017, prior to testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing about his role in the firing of James Comey, his Russian contacts during the campaign and his decision to recuse from an investigation into possible ties between Moscow and associates of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)Photo: Alex Brandon, STF

WASHINGTON - Senators sharply criticized Pentagon leaders Tuesday for not completing a new strategy for the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan, as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis acknowledged that "the enemy is surging right now."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., demanded that Mattis wrap up the plan now, threatening that, "unless we get a strategy from you, you're going to get a strategy from us." He said he had expected the plan in the first 30 to 60 days of the new administration and snapped, "We want a strategy. I don't think that's a helluva lot to ask."

Mattis, in response, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he will provide details in mid-July on the new strategy for the war.

"We're putting it together now, and there are going to be - there are actions being taken to make certain that we don't pay a price for the delay," he said. "But we recognize the need for urgency, and your criticism is fair, sir."

Mattis did not say what those steps are.

The U.S. has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan. Army Gen. John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has told Congress that he could use an infusion of U.S. and allied troops to bolster support for the Afghan army.

Earlier this year, the Pentagon was considering a request for roughly 3,000 more troops, mainly for training and advising. That decision, however, has been stalled by the broader administration review of Afghan policy and a push for NATO to contribute more troops.

Mattis, when pressed again about the plan, said getting a governmentwide strategy can't be done quickly and that there are ongoing efforts to ensure NATO participation so that it's "not all on the backs of American taxpayers."

He added: "We are not winning in Afghanistan right now. And we will correct this as soon as possible."